A community contest sponsored by local businesses to help a family in need resulted in a Christmas blessing for the three finalists.

S&P Auto Body, with the help of C&S Automotive, N&N Aftermarket Parts, Geldhof Tire, Caswell RV, Fred Haight Insurance, Home Experts, Riverside Auto Wash and All Seasons Insurance Agency, help create and sponsor a car giveaway contest late last month.

Fifty letters of referral were sent to Rick Poole of S&P Auto Body from community members telling stories of families in need. The sponsors read each one and chose three finalists to receive a Pontiac Grand Prix SE, and the letters were placed on Facebook with names omitted for voting.

Bill Sain of S&P Auto Body said more than 2,700 votes were tallied, but a unique act of kindness from the families in letters one and two secured a win for the Rule family mentioned in letter three, as the other families donated all of their votes.

The car was given to the Rule family on Monday, and Jessica Rule said it is creating an extra sense of hope for her and her family.

"It was kind of a roller coaster of emotions," said Rule about when the car was given. "We were so grateful. We just cried and cried."

She said the vehicle means she and her husband Joe will not have to share one car, and now they will have a reliable, safe vehicle to transport their children - one of which is undergoing treatment in Grand Rapids for leukemia.

She said although she was aware of the contest and the letter written on her family's behalf, she never thought they would be in the final three. However, thanks to the community, they received a Christmas blessing.

"We couldn't have done it without everyone and someday we will pay it forward," Rule added.

As for the other two finalists, they are not going away empty handed.

Jim Edlin of Edlin Automotive in Ionia is helping extend the gift of the contest by assisting the other two finalists who donated their votes to the Rule family.

"I watched the contest grow and I knew I wanted to be involved," said Edlin.

Edlin said the woman in letter one is a customer of his and recently took her van into his business for repair work. Though he previously placed her on a payment plan to cover the costs, he said he wiped her bill clean when he found out she was a finalist.

In addition, Edlin said he had a car in his possession he had planned to sell after repairing it, but thought it would be a nice gesture to give it to the second finalist in the contest.

Page 2 of 2 - "I thought, 'man, this is perfect'," he added.

He said it makes him happy to know he is helping someone in need and added he has a desire to participate in the next car giveaway contest, if one arises. Knowing many local businesses are involved gives him a sense of pride for Ionia, he said.

"It's fabulous to see all these people come together," Edlin added.

Sain said he is looking forward to hosting another contest in the future and to helping more people in the community that supports local businesses.